Jazz for aficionados


Jazz for aficionados

I'm going to review records in my collection, and you'll be able to decide if they're worthy of your collection. These records are what I consider "must haves" for any jazz aficionado, and would be found in their collections. I wont review any record that's not on CD, nor will I review any record if the CD is markedly inferior. Fortunately, I only found 1 case where the CD was markedly inferior to the record.

Our first album is "Moanin" by Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers. We have Lee Morgan , trumpet; Benney Golson, tenor sax; Bobby Timmons, piano; Jymie merrit, bass; Art Blakey, drums.

The title tune "Moanin" is by Bobby Timmons, it conveys the emotion of the title like no other tune I've ever heard, even better than any words could ever convey. This music pictures a person whose down to his last nickel, and all he can do is "moan".

"Along Came Betty" is a tune by Benny Golson, it reminds me of a Betty I once knew. She was gorgeous with a jazzy personality, and she moved smooth and easy, just like this tune. Somebody find me a time machine! Maybe you knew a Betty.

While the rest of the music is just fine, those are my favorite tunes. Why don't you share your, "must have" jazz albums with us.

Enjoy the music.
orpheus10
Great clips all; thanks!

nsp, nice Chaloff! Definitely someone I need to listen to more. Re the two H Steward clips: I wasn’t sure. I was tempted to think the one with better sound quality was the correct one, but it sounded too fast; rushed. The slower version is in the key of C and the faster one in the key of Db. Both are viable keys for the tenor saxophone, so that doesn’t help much. I think the answer can possibly be found here: Tubby Hayes playing the tune on flute in the key of C (likely to be the original key of the tune). So, the correct one is probably the slower version; inferior sound and all:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uK5TKEhYlQY

More Tubby Hayes:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WjNKsGaPxzE
These older Baritone players mentioned above sound wonderful to me. I was born in 1963, grew up in the 70's-80's listening mostly to the rock and roll/metal of that time. I came to like jazz when I turned 40. Since then I have bought over 400 jazz cd's, 2/3 being the older stuff and 1/3 musicians active now. Living just 1 hour from NYC I get to see a lot of the active jazz musicians live. I would have to ask the members posting about Baritone players why James Carter was not mentioned. I have seen him live 5 times, own every cd he recorded, and he is simply incredible on Tenor, Alto, Soprano, and Baritone, which I believe he won best Baritone player a few years ago (not sure which) by Down Beat Magazine. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIq1AVOclIE